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| Biosphere Reserve Information | ||||
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WADI ALLAQUI |
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| General Description |
Wadi Allaqui is located in Egypt’s southeastern desert, about 180 km south of Aswan on the eastern side of Lake Nasser. It is a major dry river, which drains from the Red Sea hills to the Nile Valley. The about 1,000 non-sedentary inhabitants (2003) use the natural resources of the biosphere reserve for livestock transhumance, charcoal production, the collection of medicinal plants, quarrying and small-scale cultivation. Resource conservation has been a concept inherent in the Bedouin’s livelihood and value system over centuries. The views, aspirations and accumulated knowledge of the Bedouins are included in decision-making processes within the biosphere reserve. Core support for the biosphere reserve is provided by the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency. The principal focal point for research activities is the Unite of Environmental Studies and Development of South Valley, with a Desert Field Station and a Conservation Centre, in Wadi Allaqi, providing facilities for local and overseas researchers. Various cooperative programmes have been launched in association with several overseas universities and with support from such bodies as UNEP, UNESCO, The British Council, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada, etc. Links with UNESCO include the UNESCO-Ecotechnie Chair on Environment and Development at South Valley University. Through these various collaborative initiatives at national, bilateral and international levels, research and training activities cover a wide range of issues related to arid zone ecology and resource use. Recent and ongoing research projects include work on fuel wood energy and conservation, indigenous medicinal plants, the cultivation of Balanites aegyptiaca for oil production, the natural history of the Wadi Allaqi, and water use and salt recycling of Tamarix sp. |
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| Major ecosystem type | Warm deserts and semi-deserts | |||
| Major habitats & land cover types | Downstream wadi system vegetation (frequently flooded) with extensive shrub groves of Tamarix sp., Heliotropium supinum and Glinus lotoides; vegetation above flood area dominated by xerophylic species such as Salsola baryosma and Acacia ehrenbergiana; upstream wadi system vegetation dominated by Balanites aegyptiaca, Salvadora persica, Acacia raddiana and A. tortilis; agroecosystems with vegetables, cereals and fodder crops | |||
| Location | 20°20' to 22°10'N; 32°40' to 33°40'E | |||
| Area (hectares) | ||||
| Total | 2,380,000 | |||
| Core area(s) | 63,850 | |||
| Buffer zone(s) | 131,950 | |||
| Transition area(s) when given | 2,184,200 | |||
| Altitude (metres above sea level) | +165 to +1,500 | |||
| Year designated | 1993 | |||
| Administrative authorities | Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) | |||
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| Brief description |
Agricultural research, soil studies, traditional land-use systems Social sciences studies, cultural anthropology Inventory of flora and fauna, including rare and endangered species Biogeochemical cycles/energy flow/productivity Comparative ecological research and succession, ecosystem modelling Forest research/tree planting Monitoring of natural recourses Watershed research, hydrological cycle, limnology, hydrobiology Mapping of the different biosphere reserve zones Methodology is developed for monitoring and research of human geography Indicators of sustainability relevant to economic activities: The involvement of local people in management and all activities conducted in the biosphere reserve |
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| Specific variables... | ||||
| Abiotic | Hydrology, soil. | |||
| Biodiversity | Ecology, fauna, flora, forest systems, genetic resources, methodologies, modelling, natural resources, phytosociology/succession, plants, productivity, rare/endangered/threatened species, species inventorying/inventory. | |||
| Socio-economic | Agriculture/Production systems, anthropological studies/anthropology, indicators of sustainability, local participation, monitoring methodologies, social/socio-economic aspects, traditional practices/ethnology/traditional knowledge. | |||
| Integrated monitoring | Biogeochemistry, land use/land cover, management issues, mapping, planning and zoning measures/zonation, watershed studies/monitoring. | |||
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| Contact address |
A. E. Belal Wadi Allaqi Research Project The University of Faculty of Science Aswan Egypt |
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| Telephone | (20.97) 480 446 (20.97) 480 447 |
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| Contact address |
Irena Springuel Wadi Allaqi Research Project Unit of Environmental Studies and Development (UESD), South Valley University 81528 Aswan Egypt |
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| Telephone | (20.97) 481 550 (20.97) 480 447 |
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| Fax | (20.97) 480 448 | |||
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Irina44@yahoo.com |
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| Last updated: 3/25/2005 |
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